Bending machine



Jams, 1929. 1,697,947

H. H. BUNKER BENDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5. 1921 Patented Jan. 8, 1929.

UNITE FIC-E.'

HERBERT H. BUNKER, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO -KERLOW STEELFLOORING CO., OF JERSEY CITY, NEVI JERSEY, A CORPORATION OFVNEW JERSEY.

BENDING MACHINE.

Application sied october 5, i921.

My invention relates to machines for bending work strips intothe formdesired. An object of the present invention is to provide a device ofthe above class which shall be simple in construction, easy tomanipulate with increased speed and accuracy, capable of wide use toform different shapes desired, and adapted to have a longer life bybeingl provided with means to adjust or renew the l0 parts thereof mostsubject to wear. Another object of my invention is to provide aniinproved method of forming the spacing members, suchv as are used infloor gratings or ventilators.

To these and other ends my invention consists in certain improvementsand combination of parts as will be pointed out in greater particularityin the claims appended to the specification.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of one embodiment ofmyinvention aft-er the work has been bent.

Fig. 2 is a view on the line 2&--2 of Fig.

l from beneath and looking upward toward the holder 10. 1

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 31--3a of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows a. modified form of die seat.

In many of the commercial die presses used for bending a strip ofsubstantially straight stock material to the desired shape, it has beencustomary where speed of operation is desired to mount the dies or partseffective to do the bending in heavy blocks or castings which providecooperating surfaces pressing on -both sides of the work througl'ioutthe entire length thereof between the portions bent. My invention doesnot require such heavy operating parts, is adapted to compensate forwear, and possesses the additional advantage of being adjustable to fdrmthe work into diiferent shapes as may be desired.

-Referring to the drawings, the numerals 10 .and 11 indicaterespectively upper and lower holding members ory supports for the l dies13 and 14 which are quickly movable toward one another to bend the workpiece 12. As illustrating a simple means for securing the dies 13 and 14to their respective holding members, each of the holding members may beprovided therein with one or more longitudinally extending slots 18through which freely project the bolts or screws 19 for clamping thedies in position.

Serial No. 505,559.

These bolts may be provided withV an 'enl them in position against theirholders.` As Y an additional .means for retaining the ldie members inoperative position the bracing l lyokes 15 are arrangedto tightly engagethe sides of the die to prevent longitudinal movement thereof, and areshown as being held in place by the bolts or screws 16 engaging slots 17disposed on oppositesides of the holding members 10 and 11 in order tobe adjusted longitudinally. For convenience in rapidly and accuratelyadjusting l one or more of the dies longitudinally and varying theirspacing, graduations 2() and 21l may be applied to the holders 10 and11, respectively, and both the oke members 15 and the dies may beprovided with guide means 27 or a line etched or otherwise formed on thesides of the dies and yoke members to cooperate with the graduations 20and 21, and to also assist the operator inproperly position-v ing thework strip 12. It maybe sometimes desirable to punch the necessary boltor rivet holes in the work at the same time and in the V same operationthat the bending is done, in which case punches 22 may be secured bythreads or other suitable'meansto the dies 13 or to theirseats. jInstead of 'doing the bending and punching in the same operation, thebending may be performed say in the front and the punching in the rearportion as is possible when the punches 22 are disposed in the hole 23towards the back.` Still anpunching operations is to have ythe bendingdone first and then the punching accomplished by a secondary orindependent movement of the punch or punches 22 relative to the holdingmembers and work. For convenience in working upon a plurality of strips12 at the same time or whenit is desired to bend the strip 12 in thefront or back of the press when relatively wide or deep Vdies are used,the punch 22 may be made adoo otherV way `for combining the bending andsired shape as far as possible, and for this purpose a finishing die isprovided on one of the holders and is shown as being longitudinallyadjustable in the samel manner as the bracing yokes 15. By loosening thefinishing die 25 and reversing its position, it will be seen that thisdie is also adapted to be used on the other side of the central die 14when desired.l

Instead of the die seat 13n being substantially flat, the modified formof seat 13b shown in Figure 4 may bc used and the same made integralwith the holders 10 and 11 as is the seat 132er this seat 13b may bemade l longitudinally adjustable ifcdesired.

In operationv the workman takes the substantially straight work strip 12and being guided by the lines 27 may accurately position the workrelative to the dies. The holdingjmembers 10 vand 11 are then movedtoward one another by pneumatic or other quick operating means. In thebending operation the punches 22 may or may not be pres ent according towhether or not it is desired to have this operationperformed at the sametime the bending is done. The edges 26 of the dies are subject to themost wear and in order that the life of the dies may be prolonged, eachmay be made adjustable or reversible to expose otheredges in bending. Inthe embodiment shown the portion of the workf12 intermediate the bendingedges of adjacent sides is substantially straight by reason of thepulling action exerted in opposite directions by the dies.` When aClifforent contour isdesired for the finished work, one or more of thediesinay be adjusted longitudinally by loosening the screw 19 andthebracing yokes 15 to vary the spacing between the dies. When it isdesired to raise or lower the dies 13 and 14 without changing theirrelative spacing, it is possible to add or take away shims which may beinserted between the dies 13 and` 14 and their respective holders longedlife is another feature of my bending machine. l/Vhile possessing theforegoing advantages my machine is likewise adapted to greaterusefulness by being adjustable through having the dies adjustable. bothlongitudinally and by means of shims to obtain different forms for thefinished work. lhen Vthe relatively movable holding members 10 and 11provide seats ory abutments against which the work may be pressed by thedies, a rigid and effective construction results. j The use of the guidemeans or lines 27 for centerwhich are shorter than the usual lengthorthe end port-ions of a strip. The bracing yoke 15 contributes rigidityto the construction whereby there is less likelihood of the Vdies 13 and14 becoming displaced longitudinally. Having the punch 22 adjustabletransversely of the die as shown enables a new portion of the samebending edge of the die to be used when only a part thereof has becomeworn in using a relatively narrow work strip. In ad# dition to theincreased speed of operation and facility of adjustment, my machine isar ranged so vthat-the operator may when standing upon either side ofthe machine see the ent-ire length of one side of the work piecekcontained in the machine, that is, there are no supporting columns orbars to obstruct Vthe View of any part of the work.

Inasmuch as the dies are high and the metal contained within theVmachine' after y of bending machine over those using solidV dies orthose in which the dies cooperate with the work throughout its entirelength con-U tained in the machine, resides inthe reduc-y tion offriction. It has been discovered that the work travels or flows inwardand toward the center from both ends of the machine, as the dies movetogether. The portions of the work between adjacent dies is unsupportedand out of contactv with any dies. In the Vsocalled solid form of diesthe portions of the work which in the present invention are heldunsupported are caused to slide over the surfacerof the solid dies,resulting in the increased friction and in additional power bcingnecessary to operate such forms as compared with that necessary in thepresent in vention. It has also been noticed that the sharp corners orbends are formed onl yin the latter part of the operation. V

I claim: y 1. In a bending machine in combination with a pair of movabledies and a holder therefor, another die and holder therefor, the secondholder having a plurality of seats for cooperationwith the dies of thcfirst hold er, and a punch located between one die and its seat adaptedto perform the work during the bending operation, said punch beingadjustable transversely of said die.

2. In a bending machine, a pair of die Vsupports adapted to be movedtoward and away from each other, portion, of one of said supports beingadapted to function as v rio a single die-seat whereas spaced portionsof the other of said supports are 'adapted to function as a pair ofdie-seats, a pair ofspacedv vdies carried by one of said supports atopof said supports, a single die carried `by the other of said supportsintermediate said pair of die-seats, said single die being adapted tomove into-thel space afforded between said pair of dies and having a.work face conforming to and adapted to co-operate with said singledie-seat upon'relative movement of said supports; and means detachablysecuring said dies to their supports.

3. In a bending machine, a pair of die supports adapted to be movedtoward and away from each other, a portion of one of said supports beingadapted to function asa single die-seat whereas spaced portions of theother of said supports are adapted to function as a pair of die seats, apair of spaced dies carried by one of said supports at opposite ends ofsaid single die-seat and adapted to cooperate with said pair of dieseats of the other of said supports, a single die carried by the other.of

said supports intermediate said pair of die` seats, said single die'being adapted to move into the space afforded between said pair of diesand cooperate with said single die-seat upon relative movement of saidsupports and means for facilitating adjustment of one of said dies withrespect to the remainder of said dies and longitudinally with respecttoits support. n f

4. In a bending machine, a pair of die supports adapted to be movedtoward and away from each other, a portion of one of said supports beingadapted to function as a single die-seat whereas spaced portions of theother of said supports are adapted to function as a pair of die seats, apair of spaced dies carried by one of said supports at opposite `ends ofsaid single die-seat ano adapted to cooperate with said pair ofdie-seats of the other of said supports, a single die carried by theother of said supports intermediate said pair of die seats, said singledie being adapted to move into the space afforded between said pair ofdies and cooperate with said single die-seat upon relative movement ofsaid supports and means for facilitating adjustment ofsaid pair of dieswith respect to said single die and longitudinally of said supports.

5. in a bending machine, a pair of die supports adapted to be movedtoward and away from each other, a portion of one of said supf portsbeing adapted to function as a single die-seat whereas spaced portionsof the other of said supports are adapted to function as a pair ofdie-seats, a pair of spaced dies carried by one of said supports atopposite ends of said single die-seat and adapted to co-operate withsaid pair of`die-scats of the'other other .of said supports intermediatesaid pair of dieeseats, saidr single die being adapted to move into thespace afforded between said pair of dies and cooperate with said singledie-seat upon relative movement of saidsupports, and means forfacilitating Aadjustment of said single die with respectj'to said pairofdies and longitudinally of'said supports. `i

6. In 'a bending machine, a pair of die sup ports adapted to be movedtoward and away from each other, a portion of one of said supports beingadapted to function'as a single die-seat whereas spa-ced portions of theother of said supports are adapted to function as a pair of die-seats,a'pair of spaced dies carried by one of said supports at opposite endsof said single die-seat and adapted to cooperate with said pair ofdie-seats ofthe other of said supports, a singledie carried bythe otherof said supports intermediate said pair of dieseats, said single diebeing adapted to move into the space afforded between said pair of diesand co-operate with saidsingle die-seat upon relative movement of saidsupports, and a finishing die carried by one of said supportsintermediate said pair of dies and adjacent said single die-seat,fsaidfinishing die being disposedout of the path of relative movement betweensaid single die and single dieseat and adapted to rco-operate withvsaid'single die.

7. In a bending machine, a pair of die supports adapted to be movedtoward and awayV from each other, a portion of one of said supi portsbeing adapted to function as a single die-seat whereas spaced portionsof the other of said .support-s are adapted to function as a pair ofdie-seats, a pair of spaced dies carried by one of said supports atopposite ends of said single die-seat and adapted to co-operate vwithsaid pair of die-seats of the other of said supports, a. single diecarried by the other of said supports intermediate said'p'air ofdieseats, said single die being adapted to move into thek space adordedbetween said pair of dies and co-operate with said single die-seat uponrelative movement of said supports, a finishing die carried by one ofsaid supports intermediate said pair of dies and adjacent said singledie-seat, said finishing die being disposed out of the path of relativemovement between said single die and single die-seat and adapted toco-operate with said singlel die,

and means for facilitating adjustment of said finishing die with respectto said pair of dies longitudinally of said die supports.

8.' In a bending machine,I aV pair of die' supports adapted to be movedtoward and away from each other,a portion of one ofsaid supports beingadapted to function as a "single die-seat whereas spaced portions ofthe' other of said supports are adapted to function as a pair ofdie-seats, a pair of spaced dies carried by one of said supports atopposite ends of of said supports, a single die carried by the saidsingle die-seat and adapted to (3o-operate with vsaid pair of die-seatsof the other of said supports, a single die carried by the other of'Vsaid supports intermediate said pair of dieseats-said single die beingadapted to move into the space afforded between said pair of dies andcooperate with said single die-seat uponA relative movement ofsaidsupports and i a plurality of punches adapted to perforate the workduring thebending operation said Vpunches being adjustable transverselyof said die supports. 9. ln a bending'macliine, a pair-of die `supportsadapted to be moved toward and a 'ay' from each other, a portion of oneof said sup-4 {ports being-adapted to function as a single die-seatwhereas spaced portions of the other spective supports and with respectto each,4

of saidsupports are adapted to function a pair of die-seats, a pair ofspaced dies carried byone of said supports at opposite ends of saidsingle die-seat and adapted to co-operate with said paii of die-seats ofthe other of `said supports, a. Single die carried by the othei of saidsupports intermediate said pair of diefseats, said single die being`adapted to move into the space afforded between said pair of dies andco-operate with said singledie-seat upon relative movement of saidsupports, and means for visibly indicating the posit-ion of said Vdieswith respect to their reother. n n

10,5 A bending machine comprising relatively movable support-ing membershaving die seats and adapted to carrydie members between which the workto be operated upon is inserted, a pair of spaced dies carried by one ofsaid supporting members and an intermediate cooperative die carried bythe other of said members and adapted to enter the space affordedbetween the pair of dies, said dies being in the form of blocks providedwith bending edges and clamping faces, the

' bending edges being adapted to function collectively to effect abending of the work inter-` mediate the dies upon a predeterminedrelative movement of said supporting members e whereas uponfurtherinovement said clamping faces and die-seats are adapted tofunction co-operatively to effect a clamping action upon the portion ofthe work lying therebetween, and means permitting longitudinaladjustmentof said intermediate die with respect to support for varying itsposition with respect to said spaced dies whereby the sections of workbetweenV said intermediate die and spaced dies may be bent at differentangles with respect to each other. i t

Y 1l. A bending machine comprising relatively movable supporting membershaving die-seats and adapted to carry die members `between whichthe'work to vbe operated upon is inserted, a pair of spaced diesycarried by one of said supporting members and an inter mediateco-operative die carried by the other f said members .andadapted-toenter the spaceafforded between the pair of dies, said Adies beingrinthe form of blocks provided with bending edges and clamping faces, t-hebending edges being adapted to function collectively lto effect abending of the work intermediate tlie dies upon a predetermined relativemovement of said supporting members whereas upon Vfurther movement saidclamping facesand die seats are adapted to function cofoperatively toeEect a clamping action Y upon the portion ofthe work lyingtherebetween, and means permitting adjustment of said intermediate diewhereby the saine may be positioned closer to one of said spaced diesspaceafforded between the lpair of dies, all of l said dies being in thefoi'in of independently supported Ylongitudinally adjustable blocksprovided with bending edges and clamping faces, the bending edges beingadaptedy to functioncollectively to effect a bending of the workintermediate the dies upon apredetermined relative movementof saidsupporting members whereas upon further movement. said clampingfaces anddie-seats are adapted to function co-operatively to effect a clampingaction upon the portion of. the work lying therebetween.

13. In a bending machine, a Apair of die `supportsadapted 'to be movedtoward and away from each other, one of said die supports being providedwith an intermediate rflat die-seat whereas the other of said sup. portsis provided with a pair of spaced flat die-seats, a pair of spaced diescarried by one of said supports at opposite ends of said intermediatedie-seats and having fiat work faces conforming to and adapted toco-opera-te with said pair of die-seats, and an intermediate 'dieprovded withv a flat work face conforming to and adapted to lco-operatewith said interi'nediate die-seat, said inter-` mediate die beingcarried by thefsupport provided with said pair of die-seatsand adaptedto move into thespace afforded between said pair of dies uponrelativemovement of said supports. 1

14C. In a bendingmachine, a pairof die supports adapted to be movedrelatively toward and away from each other and to receive therebetweena. work piece to be bent, one of said supportsbeing provided with an.Learner intermediate flatV die-seat whereas lthe other of saidsupportsis provided with a pair, ofY

flat die-seats, a pair of spaced dies carried i by one of said supportsat oppositeends of said intermediate die-seat and having fiat work facesconforming to and adapted to cooperate with said pair of die-seats andan intermediate die provided with a flat work face conforming to andadapted to co-opera-te with said intermediate die-seat, saidintermediate die being carried by the support provided with said pair ofdie-seats and adapted to move into the space afforded between said pairof `dies upon relative movement of said said supports is provided with apairof` spaced diie-seats, a pair of spaced dies carried by `one of saidsupports at opposite ends of said intermediate die-seat and having workfaces conforming to and ,adapted to co`operate with said pair ofdie-seats and an intermediate die provided with a work face conformingto and adapted to co-operate with said intermediate die-seat, saidintermediate die being carried by the support prof vided with said pairof die-seats and adapted to move into the space aifordedbetween saidpair of dies upon relative movement of said supports, all of said diesbeing so shaped that of supports, one movable toward and from the other,dies carried by one support and spaced apart thereon, a die carried bythe other support, the space between the dies on the first supportproviding seats for the die on the other support, and means detachablysecuring the dies to their supports.

17. A* bending machine comprising a pair of supports, one movable towardand from the other, dies carried by one support and spaced apartthereon, a die carried by the other support, the space between the dieson the first support providing seats for the die on the other support,means detachably securing the dies to their supports, and means toadjust said dies on their supports and toward and from one another.

18. A bending machine comprising a. pair n of supports, one movabletoward and from the other, dies carried by one support and spaced apartthereon, a die carried by the other support, the space between the dieson the first support providing seats for the die veach punch on its onthe other support, and means detachably securing the dies to theirsupports, said means passing through lslots insaid supe ports andengaging said dies-to adjustabiy `secure them in position.Y y L 19, Abending machine comprising a pair of supports, vone movable toward andfrom the other, dies carried by one support and spaced apartthereon, adie carried by the other support, the space between the dies on theiii-st support providingseats for the die on theother support, and meansdetachably securing a die to its support,said means comprising al screwpassing through a lslot in thesupport and threaded into the die, wherebytightening of the screw will secure the die in position and looseningthereof willA permit adjustment thereofonthe support. l

20. A. bending machine comprising a dieV support having a slot therein,a die, ascrew f passing through said slot and threaded into said diewhereby tightening of said screw #will secure said 'die'in position andloosening thereof will lpermit adjustment of saidV die on said support,a yoke engaging said die, and means to secure said yoke to saidsupport.` i

21'. A bendingmachinecomprising a die`Y support having a slot therein, adie, a screw passing through said slot and threaded into said diewhereby tighteningcof said screw will secure said die in position andloosening thereof will permit adjustment of said die on said support, ayoke engaging said die, and means to secure said yoke to said support,said securing means comprising bolts carried by said yoke and receivedin a slot in said support whereby said yoke may move with said die.

' 22. A bending machine comprising a pair o-f supports, onemovabletoward and from the other, dies carried by one support andn los spacedapart thereon, a die carried by the other support, the' space betweenthe dies on the rst support providing seats for the die on the othersupport, means detachably securing the dies to their supports, and apunch carried by each die.

' .23. A bending machine comprising a pair of supports, onemovabletoward and fromv the other, dies carried by one support and spaced apartthereon, a die carried by the other support, the space between the dieson the first support providing seats for the die on the othersupport,means detachably securing the dies to their supports, a punch carried byeach die, and means for adjusting y die. l

24:. lThe method of bending a bar which comprises placing said bar withone side upon the face of a die and bringing a pair of dies into contactwith the opposite side of said bar at points spaced from said firstnamed die and on opposite sides thereof and against die seats, wherebythe bar will be made'svubstantially straight between the edgesofsaid'dies.l Y

; `The method of bending a bar.V which lcomprises placing said bar withone side uponthe face of a die, bringing a pair-Jofdiesuintocontactwith'the opposite side oi' saidbar at points spaced from said firstnamed Vdie and on opposite sides thereof and bringing the faces-.of saiddies against die seats, whereby'ithe bar will be made substan-k tiallystraight between the edges Vofsaid dies, and forcing the bar against thefaces or' said dies; r` f I 26. A-bending machine comprising a diesupport, a die slidably mounted on the support,means for retainingsaiddie in position including va yoke-like member extendingacrossthe-v*die-supporting surface of the support tn lieinclosejuxtaposition against a sideface of the die and having its endsextending over the edges of said support, means for securing the ends ofsaid yoke to said support whereby the sliding' movement of the dieisprevented in one direction, and means 'aol " on thesupport withwhichsaid yoke-securing port, meansior `securing the deto the supp# p ortincluding a yoke-like member extending across the die-'supporting faceofV said support and havingits endsextending around the sides of saidsupport, said yoke member l having a slot therein through which saidVdie may extend and engage`r the side walls of the slot, and means forsecuring the ends of the yoke to said support, whereby vthe 'slidablemovement of the die on the support is pre vented.

28. A bending machine comprisingl a die support, a die slidably mountedon the support, means for securing the die to the support-including ayoke-like member extending across the die-supporting face of said sup-vport and having its ends extending around" the sides ofsaid support,said yokemember having a slot therein through which said die may extendand engage the side walls of the slot, means for securing the ends'ofthe yoke' to said support, whereb7 the sli'dable movesv ment of the dieon the supportis` prevented, said support havinga groove therein withwhich said securing means engages, where-b)7 the yoke may be preventedfrom fdisengaging f the supportY when the securing means isloosened foradjusting the yoke. I

In testimony whereof, I have affixed my signature to this specification.

HERBERT H. BUNKER.v

